Forested summit

Getting to the summit of Soarns Hill is difficult and the extensive forestry means that views are severely limited. But as it qualifies under MV prominence rules, off I went to climb it. I parked at the bottom of the access road to the Quolie reservoirs (E (D174 114)). This is also a good spot to park if climbing neighbouring Carncormick. Unfortunately this route involves a lot of road walking - this is no problem to me but some people don't like using paved surfaces as part of a hillwalk. You follow the road up the Quolie valley past the two reservoirs - about 2 miles. This part of the walk was easy and very peaceful with only the sound of the running water and the occasional bleating of sheep breaking the silence. Once past the higher reservoir there are a couple of stiles to negotiate. Follow the Soarns river uphill from here, climbing gradually. Eventually you come over the crest of the hill and the huge forest opens up in front of you. If you head on in a north-easterly direction you will soon see a firebreak to your right (F (D200 140)). Ignore this firebreak and keep going in the same direction until you reach the next one (G (D205 144)). This is the one you want - head on through here, past the first firebreak 'crossroads' in the forest then uphill to the 403m summit just at the second 'crossroads' that you come to. As Harry Goodman notes the summit position listed here on MV isn't in fact the summit at all [now fixed]. Just outside the forest is the best place for views - to the south, Slemish and the Braid valley and to the west the outline of Slieve Gallion was easy to pick out. Mid Hill and Carncormick unfortunately block the view north to the higher Antrim hills. I returned to the car by way of ascent. Took much longer than I expected - well over 2 hours - the walk along the reservoirs was pleasant enough but after that the terrain becomes difficult. I wouldn't really recommend this hill unless like me you were ticking it off. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/810/comment/4647/

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Firebreak Bliss

Visited Soarns Hill on Thursday 21st March in atrocious weather, almost zero visibility and the 20km trek around Carncormick, Mid Hill and Colin top was akin to Mid Antrim water torture. Spent most of the day up to me Ankles in water
and the only respite came in the shape of the firebreak on Soarns Hill!!. In the midst of a 5hr soul searching exercise and repeating the mantra Why Oh Why!. Spotted a pair of Gloves beside the fence at entrance to said firebreak, rstored my faith in Mountainviews as gloves belonged to Fergal H. he had visited on 2nd December, dedicate this comment to the other 25 members who dared to visit Soarns Hill, If in Antrim well worth a viisit, if you must Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/810/comment/20475/

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Local summit visit

Climbed Soarns Hill to-day (17 Oct 09) as one of the 100 listed hills nearest to my home. I used three5four0's very helpful route description. The following additional information may be useful. The second farm up the lane is called "Cleggan Cottage" and is a short distance from the old gate mentioned by three5four0. This gate and the right turn immediately after it are at H (D20800 11150). The next gate is still padlocked and is the entrance to Cleggan Forest with a name board to the left. After the gate the turn to the left off this track is at I (D21300 12700) and heads NNE for about 700m to J (D21550 12300)and the next left turn. Seven hundred metres along this track is the firebreak which goes to the top. It is at K (D20900 13600) and heads NNE. Although only 500 metres long it is the sting in the tail for this walk. The going is heavy without any sign of a path. Clearly a road less travelled.

Once at the top an important point must be made regarding the summit at 403m.
* three5four0 suggests that you can descend to the track by a shorter route down the firebreak going NE, this should in fact read NW and takes you down to the track at L (D207 143) where a left turn takes you along past the firebreak taken earlier to the top. From there simply re-trace your outward route. three5four0 did this walk on a rainy day. To-day was dry and bright and the views across to Slemish and the hills along the edge of the Antrim Plateau were very pleasant indeed.

One final point, the Glens of Antrim Activity Map Scale 1:25,000 is a must for anyone wanting want to check where they are along the tracks in the forest as this is the only map on which they are marked. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/810/comment/4190/

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three5four0 on Soarns Hill

Soarns Hill, a hill for bad weather.

With a forecast of high winds and rain, Soarns Hill with its extensive forestry, seemed a good choice for the prevailing conditions this Sunday. With little in the way of parking in the area, we choose to park at the Half Way House pub's car park (M (D210 096)), with the full intention of purchasing several pints on our return, as way of payment.
Cross the road and take the Longmore Road till N (D207 100), follow this lane up hill, past two farms (one currently for sale) and through an old gate (watch it doesn't fall down when you close it!). Take the track on your right (immediately after the gate) following it to another gate, this time padlocked, but easy to get over. You are now in Gleggan Forest, which is run by the Forestry Service, so there should be no problems with access. Those who have wisely invested in the new 1:25000 Glens of Antrim Activity Map, by the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland will confidently stride out along the forestry tracks. Those with the older 1:50000 series, may feel a little less confident, usually the result of trying to follow tracks and firebreaks in a forest with a 1:5000 map before!
Follow this forestry track to first junction and turn left at it, then left again at the next track junction till the firebreak at O (D208 136). Follow this up hill over the usual tussocks and holes (going north, north east) to a 4 way firebreak junction and that's the summit, a small rise just before the junction looks slightly higher, but you walked over this to get to the junction. You can descend the firebreak going north east, which is shorter and perhaps not as bad as the route of ascent, crossing a small ditch when you arrive back at the track. Turn left and follow the tracks & lanes back to the Half Way House Inn / Pub, which serves a good pint of Guinness, and judging by the amount of people eating meals there, tasty food as well. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/810/comment/3393/

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Maybe, a not so hidden Central Antrim Gem of a hill

A bit of a treat to have this one out of the way Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/810/comment/23783/

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